Heavy rains in Islamabad and Rawalpindi divert two flights — Dawn
Heavy rains fell in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on Monday, prompting municipal services in Rawalpindi to be placed on high alert. Due to the adverse weather, two flights bound for Islamabad were diverted to other airports.
As Dawn reports, the Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded 33 mm of rainfall in the village of Saidpur in the morning. The Golra area near Sector E-11 received 25 mm of rain, while Pirwadhai recorded 28 mm and Gawalmandi 27 mm. Sectors H-8 and I-12 recorded 23 mm and 22 mm of rainfall respectively, while Shamsabad received 29 mm.
Work of city services
The Meteorological Department urged residents not to approach the Nullah Lai watercourse. Rawalpindi Commissioner Salman Ghani said that the watercourse is being constantly monitored and that the public is being promptly informed. According to local authorities, the water level in Nullah Lai was 5.5 feet at Katarian and 2 feet at Gawalmandi, while the water flow remained within normal limits.
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Drainage work was carried out in the two cities. The Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency deployed workers and heavy machinery in low-lying areas, including near Liaquat Bagh, the Committee Chowk underpass, Murree Road, Dhoke Khabba, Circular Road, and low-lying parts of Sadiqabad. Islamabad police said its officers were ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow and urged residents to follow traffic advisories and cooperate with law enforcement.
Aircraft diversions
According to the Pakistan Airports Authority, a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Paris to Islamabad was diverted to Multan due to heavy rain. The aircraft landed there at 5:44 and departed for Islamabad at 8:21. An AirSial flight from Jeddah to Islamabad was also diverted to Peshawar due to adverse weather, where it landed at 10:25.
For the rest of the week, the Meteorological Department forecasts mostly dry weather in most parts of Pakistan. Variable cloudiness, local rain, wind, and thunderstorms are possible in the mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
